Combination shoe holder and cabinet



Nov. 29, 1960 Filed Nov. 6, 1959 W. B. AIKEN COMBINATION SHOE HOLDER ANDCABINET 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR WA 5% MEN ATTORNEY Nov. 29, 1960 w. B.AIKEN 2,961,685

COMBINATION SHOE HOLDER AND CABINET Filed Novfe's, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR WA QE/I/KE/V ATTORNEY Patent (IOMBINATION SHOE HOLDER ANDCABINET i Vade B. Aiken, 215 Hill St., Mount Holly, N.C.

Filed Nov. 6, 1959, Ser. No. 851,413

7 Claims. (Cl. 15-265) This invention relates to a holder for supportingshoes to be shined and a cabinet for supporting the holder in anoperative position for use or in an inoperative position within thecabinet for storage.

Another object of the invention is to provide a combination shoe holderand cabinet wherein the cabinet additionally provides compartments forthe storage of shoe shining equipment and also forms a bench on whichthe operator sits for shining shoes supported by the shoe holder.

A further object of the invention is to provide a shoe holder includingshoe trees for supporting a pair of shoes simultaneously and means formoving and selectively locking the shoe trees in positions whereby theshoes supported thereon will be conveniently located for shining.

Various other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafterbecome more fully apparent from the following description of thedrawings, illustratinga presently preferred embodiment thereof, andwherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view, partly in section, showing thecombination shoe holder and cabinet, with the shoe holders shown in fulllines, in an extended operative position, and in dotted linesin aninoperative stored position; a

Figure 2 is a top plan viewthereof;

Figure 3 is an end elevational view, {partly in vertical section andpartly broken away, looking from left to right of Figure 1 and showingthe shoe holder in an operative position; 7

Figure 4 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional View, partly inelevation, taken substantially along the line 4-4 of Figure 3; V

Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional view of one of the shoe trees, takensubstantially along the line 5-5 of Figure 4; v

Figure 6 is a cross sectional view through'one of the shoe trees, takensubstantially along a plane as indicated by the line 6-6 of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is n enlarged fragment ry ve tira sectional view, takensubstantially along a plane as indicated by t the line 7-7 of Figure 3;

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken substantially along a plane asindicated by the line 8-8 of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view takensubstantially along a plane as indicated by the line 9-9 of Figure 5;

Figure 10 is an end elevational view of one end of the shoe treesupporting crossarm, with the shoetree removed therefrom, and

Figure 11 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal sectional view, takensubstantially along a plane as indicated by the line 11-11 of Figure 1.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, the combination shoe holderand cabinet in its entirety is designated generally 12 and includes anelongated cabinet,

7 designated generally 13, and a shoe holder, designated generally 14.

The cabinet '13 includes a bottom 15, end walls 16 and 17, side walls 18and 19 and cover members 20 and 21. The cover member 20 is connected byhinges 22 to the end wall 17 and rests upon portions of the top edges ofthe side walls 18 and 19 for closing one end of the cabinet 13. Thecover member 21 similarly closes the other end of the cabinet and isconnected by additional hinges 22 to the other end wall 16. Trays 23 aresecured within the upper portion of the cabinet 13, against the sidewalls 18 and 19 and the end wall 16, in transversely spaced relation toone another, as seen in Figures 2 and 3. The cabinet 13 is preferablyprovided with foot members 24 which are secured to and depend from thebottom 15 at the corners of the cabinet.

A short post 25 is disposed within the cabinet 13 in an upright positionand extends upwardly from the bottom 15 and is disposed against the endwall 16 and secured thereto by suitable fastenings 26. A standard,designated generally 27, includes a straight lower portion 28 the lowerend of which is connected. to the upper end of the post 25 by a hingejoint 29. The axis of the hinge joint 29 is disposed crosswise of thecabinet 13 for swinging movement of the standard 28, relative to thepost 25, longitudinally of said cabinet. The post 25 and standardportion 28 are disposed midway between the side walls 18 and '19,so'that the standard portion 28 extends upwardly between the trays 23,when in an upright position, as best seen in Figure 3. The upper portionof the standard 27 constitutes a gooseneck 30, which is disposed abovethe level of the top of the cabinet 13, when the standard portion 28 isin an upright position. The gooseneck 36 has a substantially straightfree end portion 31 which extends across an extension of the axis of thestandard portion 28 and toward the other end 17 of the'ca'binet, whensaid standard 27 is in its raised operative position, as seen in fulllines in Figure l.

The gooseneck end 31 has a reduced noncircular'terminal portion 32 andan enlargement forming a flange or col ar 33 which is located adjacentto but spaced from the terminal portion 32. The collar 33 is fi ed to orformed integral with the goose-neck end 31, and said end has a portion34 of circular cross section, disposed between the terminal portion 32and collar 33. A retaining element or plate 42 has an opening 43 of asize and shape to fit the terminal 32 for mounting the plate 42 n n tu'nably thereonj A threadedbore 44 is formed in the end 31 and opensoutwardlvof the terminal 32 to receive a screw 45, the head of whichbears against the plate 42 to retain said plate on the terminal 32.

The plate 42 carries a spring projected latch 35. The latch 35, as bestseen in Figure 7, mayicomprise a p unger 36 slidably mounted in anopening 37 of the plate 42 and which is urged inwardly the'ethrough by"ompressi n s ring 38. The spring 33 is smaller in dameter th n theplunger 36 and has one end bearing therea -inst "ud the other endbearing against a hollow casing 39 which is formed as a projection onthe outer side of the p ate 42. The plunger 36 has a restricted stem 40extending s'lidab y throu h a restricted opening in the outer end of thecasing 39 and on which the spring 38 is mounted between the plunger 36and the outer end of the casing 39. A knob 41 is detachably secured tothe outer end of the stem 40, externally of the casing 39,

for retracting the spring projected plunger 36 into the casing 39 andopening 37. Any other suitable form of spring projected latch may besubstituted for the latch 35, which latch is transversely or radiallyspaced from the opening 43.

A crossarm 46 is provided with a circular opening 47 0 intermediate ofits ends which is sized to fit turnably on the portion 34 of thegooseneck end 31, and which crossarm 46 is applied to said journalportion 34 before the retaining plate 42 is applied to the terminal 32and secured by the screw 45, as previously described. The crossarm 46has two corresponding sockets 48 which open outwardly thereof in adirection away from the collar 33and toward the plate 42. The sockets 48are spaced equal distances from the axis of the opening 47 and the samedistance from the axis of the opening 47 as the spacing between thecenter of the opening 37 and the center of the opening 43. Accordingly,in one position of the crossarm 46 one of the sockets 48 aligns with theopening 37 to receive the plunger 36, for latching the crossarm 46 tothe gooseneck end 31. With the latch plunger 36 retracted, as previouslydescribed, the arm 46 can be rotated through an arc of 180 in eitherdirection to align the other socket 48 with the opening 37 to receivethe latch bolt 36. In either of said positions in which the crossarm 46is latched to the gooseneck end 31, said crossarm 46 is disposed in anupright position, when the standard 27 is in its operative position asillustrated in full lines in Figure 1 and in Figure 3.

Each end of the crossarm 46 is constructed similar to the free end ofthe gooseneck portion 31 and, as seen in Figure 9, includes anoncircular terminal portion 49, a fixed collar 50, spaced from theterminal portion 49, and a circular journal portion 51, which isdisposed between the terminal 49 and collar 50. The collar 50 isprovided with a spring projected latch 52, which may correspond to thelatch 35. Accordingly, a further description of the latch 52 is deemedunnecessary. The plunger oi the latch 52 is spring urged outwardly ofthe collar 50.

A bar 53 has a portion provided with a circular opening 54 which issized to fit turnably on the journal portion 51. A retaining element orplate 55 has a noncircular opening 56 in which the terminal 49 isreceived for non-turnably mounting said plate on the crossarm 46.However, since the sole function of the plate 55 is to retain the bar 53on the journal portion 51, the plate 55 could be turnably mounted on thearm portion 49. A retaining screw 57 is threaded axially into the outerend of the crossarm 46, in the same manner as the screw 45, fordetachably securing the plate 55 on the part 49. The bar 53 has sockets58 facing toward the collar 50 and equally spaced from the opening 54 tobe selectively aligned with the plunger of the latch 52 for latching thebar 53 in either of two oppositely directed positions.

The bar 53 constitutes a part of a shoe tree 59. The holder 14 includesa second shoe tree 60, corresponding to the shoe tree 59. Thedescription of one of the shoe trees will sufiice for both since saidshoe trees are identical. The shoe tree 59 is shown in Figures 1 and 3in an inverted position on the upper end of the crossarm 46 and the shoetree 60 is shown in a correct upwardly facing position supported by thelower end of said crossarm. The opening 54 of each bar 53 is locatednearer one end than the other end of the bar, and the shorter end of thebar terminates in a knob or enlargement 61 which is disposed crosswisethereof. The other end of each bar 53 has an elongated recess 62 toreceive telescoping sleeve members 63 and 64 which have adjacent openends and remote ends which are closed. Said remote ends bear against theends of the recess 62. A compression spring 65 is housed within thesleeve members 63 and 64 and has its ends bearing against the closedends of said members. The terminal portion of said last mentioned end ofthe bar 53 is widened, as seen in Figure 5, and is pro vided withlongitudinally extending elongated openings 66 which straddle the end ofthe recess 62 in which the sleeve member 63 is contained. Said widenedend 67 of the bar 53 fits a longitudinally extending recess 68 formed inand opening outwardly of the inner end of a shoe toe engaging member 69of the shoe tree. The member 69 is provided with a recess 70 ofapproximately circular cross section which also opens outwardly of theinner end thereof and which is only partially as long as the recess 68.The sleeve member 63 seats in the recess 70, as

best seen in Figure 4. Pins 71 extend partially through and are anchoredin the member 69 and extend loosely through the slots 66 for slidablyattaching the member 69 to the bar end 67.

The spring 65 normally retains the shoe tree 59 or 60 thereof in a fullyextended position, as illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, with the closedends of the sleeves 63 and 64 hearing against the ends of the recess 62.In applying a shoe to either the shoe tree 59 or 60 the shoe is appliedso that the toe engaging member 69 of the shoe tree is received in thetoe portion of the shoe, not shown, and the shoe is moved in a directionfrom left to right of Figures 4 and 5 until the knob 61 can be receivedin the heel portion of the shoe. This causes the toe engaging member 69to slide inwardly of the bar 53, so that the bar end 67 moves toward theclosed inner end of the recess 68 and relative to and away from thesleeve 63 which is held against movement with the bar end 67 byengagement of its closed end with the inner end of the recess 70. Afterthe shoe is thus applied to the shoe tree and is released, the spring 65of the shoe tree will extend the toe engaging member 69 relative to thebar 53 and into a snug fitting engagement in the toe portion of the shoefor yieldably retaining the shoe detachably on the shoe tree.

Assuming that a pair of shoes have been applied in the aforedescribedmanner to the two shoe trees 59 and 60, the lower shoe, not shown, willbe supported in an upright position on the lower shoe tree 60 and theupper shoe, not shown, will be disposed in an inverted position on theupper shoe tree 59. With the holder 14 in its operative positionextending upwardly from the cabinet, with a pair of shoes mounted on theshoe trees 59 and 60, it will be readily apparent that the shoe disposedon the lower shoe tree 60 can be polished by an operator while seated onthe closed cover member 20 and facing toward the holder 14. After thelower shoe has been polished, the latch 35 is retracted and the crossarm46 is swung through an arc of 180 and relatched so that the shoe tree 59will then be supported on the lower end of the crossarm 46 and in aconvenient position so that the shoe mounted thereon can be polished.

In order to retain the standard 27 in its operative full line positionof Figure 1 and rigidly with respect to the cabinet 13, while the shoesare being shined, a clamp 72, as best seen in Figure 11, is provided.Said clamp in cludes a bracket 73 which is secured to the inner side ofthe end wall 16 and to which one end of an arcuate bar 74 is pivotallyconnected as seen at 75. The bar 74 in its operative position engagesaround a part of the standard portion 28 and has an outturned oppositefree end 76 which is provided with an aperture or notch to receive abolt 77. The bolt 77 is swingably attached to an eye member 78 which isanchored to the end wall 16 and a wing nut 79 is threaded on said boltand against the part 76 so that the standard portion 28 is clampedbetween the arcuate bar 74 and end wall 16 in its upright operativeposition. It will be noted that the cover mem ber 21 is in an openposition when the holder 14 is in its operative position, while thecover member 20 is closed to provide a seat for the operator. The endwall 16 may be provided with a stop 80 to support the cover member 21 inan open position beneath the gooseneck 30.

To move the holder 14 to a stored position within the cabinet 13, thelatches 52 are released so that the shoe trees 59 and 60 can be swungthrough arcs of 180 relative to the crossarm 46, as illustrated indotted lines in Figures 1 and 2. The latch 35 is also released and thecrossarm 46 is swung through an arc of approximately The nut 79 isremoved or loosened so that the part 76 can be disengaged from the bolt77 to enable the bar 74 to be swung out of engagement with the standardportion 28. With the cover member 20 in an open position, the holder 14can be swung downwardly about the pivot 29 toward the end wall 17 and toits inoperative stored position within the cabinet 13, as seen in dottedlines in Figures 1 and 2, after which both cover members 20 and 21 maybe closed. The trays 23 may be utilized for holding shoe polish and shoepolishing equipment, not shown, conveniently positioned for use.

Various modifications and changes are contemplated and may be resortedto, without departing from the function or scope of the invention ashereinafter defined by the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A combination shoe holder and cabinet comprising an elongated cabinethaving an open top and a hinged cover member, a shoe holder including astandard having a substantially straight lower section, means hingedlyconnecting the distal end of said lower standard section to the interiorof the cabinet at one end thereof for swinging movement of said standardin a vertical plane and lengthwise of the cabinet, said standardincluding a portion disposed above the cabinet when said lower standardsection is in an upright position, a crossarm mounted on and supportedby a part of said standard portion and disposed above and adjacent saidcabinet end, and shoe trees mounted on and supported by the ends of saidcrossarm and adapted to detachably support a pair of shoes to be shined,said crossarm and shoe trees forming parts of the holder, said holderbeing swingably movable to a stored position within the cabinet, andsaid cover member being swingable to an open position for movement ofthe holder into and out of the cabinet.

2. A combination shoe holder and cabinet as in claim 1, means rotatablymounting said crossarm on said standard part about an axis disposedsubstantially at a right angle to the axis of said lower standardsection, and latch means for latching the crossarm to said standard partand in substantially an upright position with either of the shoe treesdisposed at the upper or the lower end of the crossarm.

3. A combination shoe holder and cabinet as in claim 2, means rotatablymounting said shoe trees on the crossarm ends, and latch means fordetachably latching the shoe trees to the crossarm and with the shoetrees facing 6 in either of two oppositely directed positionslongitudinally of the cabinet.

4. A combination shoe holder and cabinet as in claim 1, and means forclamping said lower standard section to the cabinet in the operativeposition of the holder.

5. A combination shoe holder and cabinet as in claim 1, said portion ofthe standard comprising a gooseneck having a free end extending towardthe other end of the cabinet and including a terminal portionconstituting the other terminal of the standard and the part thereof onwhich said crossarm is mounted.

6. A combination shoe holder and cabinet as in claim 1, each of saidshoe trees including a shoe toe engaging part constituting one endthereof and a shoe heel engaging part constituting the opposite end ofthe shoe tree, and each of the shoe trees having means for slidablysupporting and spring urging the toe engaging part thereof to anextended position away from the heel engaging part.

7. In combination with an elongated cabinet having an open top and ahinged cover member, a shoe holder including a standard having asubstantially straight lower section, means hingedly connecting a distalend of said lower standard section to the interior of the cabinet at oneend thereof for swinging movement of the standard in a vertical planeand lengthwise of the cabinet, said standard including a portiondisposed above the cabinet, when said lower standard section is in anupright posi tion, a crossarm mounted on and supported by a part of saidstandard portion and disposed above and adjacent said cabinet end, ashoe tree mounted on and supported by an end of said crossarm andadapted to detachably support thereon a shoe to be shined, said crossarmand shoe tree forming parts of the holder and being swingably movablewith the standard to a stored position within the cabinet.

Groves Mar. 27, 1923 Hadley July 8, 1924

